In
the early 1960s a young Piedmontese cyclist named Franco
Balmamion won successive editions of the Giro d’Italia, an achievement
no Italian has managed to emulate in almost half a century since. In
the post-war era only Balmamion and the three greats Coppi, Merckx and
Induraín, have successfully defended the fabled maglia rosa. And yet
virtually nothing is known of a rider whose Giro record surpassed all
but the very best, and who, with a fraction of the support others
enjoyed, may well have won not only a third Giro, but also the Tour de
France.
In capturing the 1962 Giro Balmamion, the so-called `Silent Champion’,
displayed extraordinary courage, overcoming not only his rivals but
also the mutiny and skullduggery of a famous, celebrated team-mate. His
epic performance, aged just 22, was the equal of anything achieved by
any of the true giants of the sport, but remains a story untold,
ignored by the cycling world, obscured by the mists of time.
In an unforgettable quest to recover the memory of ‘The Eagle of the
Canavese’ Herbie Sykes uncovers the secrets of an extraordinary race,
and of the heroes and villains who defined it. Their stories, by turns
astonishing, heroic and heartbreaking, are as immediate and relevant
today as they were back then. ‘…Italian cycle racing in the 60s brought
to life with a refreshingly new perspective.

This is a book about
courage and deceit, joy and the sadness of careers that were lost. A
tremendous read.’ Phil
Liggett, renowned international cycling
commentator.

“…packed with zest and anecdote, this account of Balmamion, the
‘forgotten man’ of the 1960s is a joy to read.” David Harmon, British
Eurosport

“This is much more than a simple biography of a great but
long-forgotten rider. It paints a vivid and wry picture of 1960s Italy
and cycling’s place in Italian culture. The level of detail is
astonishing and Herbie Sykes’s love for racing and for the characters
he encounters on his journey through the era is never in doubt. This is
a great book, to be enjoyed by committed ‘tifosi’ or anyone interested
in the romance of cycle racing.” Luke
Edwardes-Evans, cycling editor
and journalist
“I love Italy and I’ve had a lot of success there on the road. I rode
the Giro last year. The Eagle of the Canavese is a real eye- opening
look at my sport. The riders in the 60s obviously had a very tough
time. This book is so revealing, once I started I couldn’t put it
down.” Steve Cummings,
World, Commonwealth gold and Olympic silver
medalist